White-throated monitor Varanus exanthematicus

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The White-throated Monitor is also known as the rock or tree monitor. They are not usually associated with water and unlike the water monitor the tail is not longer than the body. The snout is more bulbous giving the impression of the “roman nose”.

They lay eggs in rock cracks, abandoned animal burrows or cavities in trees. Their diet is varied from small vertebrates such as rodents, bird’s chicks and their eggs, other reptiles, frogs and various arthropods.

All monitors’ long tails are powerful and are used during defence by swiping the tail very fast at a predator or humans. This can be extremely painful and/or may cause serious cuts as the dorsal (upper) layer of scales is sharp forming a rasp like ridge. Claws are very sharp and the bite is extremely powerful.